Shamrock Rovers 1 Derry City 0:Shamrock Rovers strengthened their grip on the Airtrictity League title tonight, sending Derry City home from the Tallaght Stadium with nothing to effectively knock the northerners out of the race.
The win moves Rovers eight points clear of the visitors, and four ahead of closest challengers Sligo. Michael O’Neill’s side now need just one more win to retain their title.
A cagey first half failed to yield anything for either side, but Rovers settled into the contest after the break with Rohan Rickett’s the man to break the deadlock.
Richard Brush’s clearance from the edge of his own area was allowed to bounce by the Derry defence and Ricketts took full advantage, latching on to the ball and lobbing the onrushing Ger Doherty.
Minutes later Craig Sives had a glorious chance to make the points safe, but his effort from point blank range was straight at Doherty and the Derry goalkeeper did extremely well to hold on to the shot.
With nothing to lose, Derry poured forward but were unable to make the breakthrough as Rovers held firm to move within touching distance of a 17th league title.
